Syracuse, N.Y. -- Sen. Charles E. Schumer, D-N.Y, said today the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention needs to do a better job letting state and local health departments know when more H1N1 flu vaccine will be available.

At a press conference in Syracuse, Schumer said local health departments and communities need more advance notice of vaccine deliveries so they can plan accordingly.

Schumer also called on the CDC to make sure the vaccine gets to people who need it the most. Schumer said he’s heard some grocery stores have been receiving H1N1 vaccine and administering it to customers on a first-come first-serve basis. Dr. Cynthia Morrow, Onondaga County’s health commissioner, said that has not been happening in the Syracuse area.

Schumer also said the federal government should provide emergency funding to allow schools that don’t have nurses to hire nurses who can help identify students with H1N1.